Unmanned station tour Wheelchair user "freedom of movement infringement" JR sued September 23, 18:54
Regarding the unmanned station that JR Kyushu is promoting in Oita City, three people in the city who live in wheelchairs have filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from JR Kyushu, saying that they have "infringed their freedom of movement."
JR Kyushu has unmanned three stations in Oita City over the past three years as part of improving the efficiency of its railway business.
Regarding this, three men and women in their 30s and 60s in Oita City who live in wheelchairs said, "In addition to violating the freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution, it also violates the Disability Discrimination Elimination Law." We have filed a lawsuit in the Oita District Court seeking compensation of 110,000 yen per person from JR Kyushu.
Among them, three people complained that the use of the station requires the assistance of station staff, but if it is unmanned, advance reservations are required, and conditions that healthy people do not have are imposed and they are disadvantaged. I will.
JR Kyushu has explained that the unmanned station has been introduced with a new remote support system that responds to customer inquiries through the monitor, and that safety and convenience will be higher than before. It was.
The unmanned operation of stations is progressing in various places, and the pros and cons of this will be questioned in the judiciary.
At the press conference, one of the plaintiffs, Harumi Yoshida (67), said, "I would like to appeal to JR for a promise to cancel the unmanned station plan."
On the other hand, JR Kyushu says, "At this point, I cannot comment because the complaint has not arrived."
Plaintiff "Stop being barrier-free with station staff"
Harumi Yoshida (67), one of the plaintiffs who lives in Oita City, has severe cerebral palsy, is on a respirator, and needs 24-hour care.
Mr. Yoshida is a director of a social welfare corporation in the city and needs a wheelchair to move, but the station he usually uses is unmanned, and he is planning to unmanned in the future. ..
When using the station, the station staff receives support when moving to the platform or getting on and off the train, and at the station where the station staff is resident, you can receive support even if you suddenly change your destination. That is.
However, if you are unmanned, you can get support if you contact us in advance, but I am worried that you will not be able to move freely.
Mr. Yoshida said, "It is difficult to make a reservation in advance because I use the train according to the weather and my physical condition. Having station staff is the most" barrier-free "for me. JR Kyushu has unmanned stations. I want you to stop. "
Improved safety and convenience with JR Kyushu remote support system, etc.
JR Kyushu is promoting unmanned stations as part of improving the efficiency of its railway business. In Oita Prefecture, 45 of the 83 stations have been unmanned, more than half of them so far.
Three years ago, we announced a plan to unmanned eight stations in Oita City, and we have already implemented it at three stations.
In addition to installing surveillance cameras at these three stations, JR Kyushu has introduced a remote support system that responds to customer inquiries from the first train to the last train through a monitor, making it safer and more convenient than ever. I have explained at the resident briefing session that the number will increase.
JR Kyushu said that no troubles had occurred at unmanned stations so far, and said, "We believe that safety and crime prevention have also improved. We are willing to accept your opinions and requests and can do so. We are making improvements as much as possible, and we will continue to support our efforts in the future. "